Whalers fall in overtime despite 49 saves by Niedert

Chris Barca

Published 11:22 pm, Saturday, January 19, 2013

DANBURY -- When the Danbury Whalers last hosted the Dayton Demonz on Dec. 27, it was a thrilling contest that featured late-goal dramatics and hard-hitting action, with the Whalers ultimately falling short in a shootout.

On Saturday night, the rematch with the Demonz ended in nearly the same, heartbreaking fashion as the first tilt.

Despite goalie Nick Niedert recording 49 saves, the Whalers (16-16) fell to the first-place Demonz 4-3 in overtime at Danbury Ice Arena. The Whalers seemed to maintain control of the puck and the tempo for a majority of the contest, but missed opportunities and defensive struggles -- and an unlucky break or two -- doomed Danbury on multiple occasions.

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With the score tied at one in the dwindling seconds of the second period, Whalers forward Andrew Willock appeared to give Danbury a 2-1 lead with a point blank goal. Instead, Willock was called for interfering with the goalie and given a two minute penalty. With the goal waived off and the score still tied, the Whalers faithful jeered and booed while coach Phil Esposito engaged in a nuclear exchange of an argument with the officials, ultimately tossing the goal aside as he stormed off the ice.

It wasn't just the officials that drew the frustration of the crowd, though. Phil Aucoin's failed close shot attempt on an open net with 11 minutes remaining in the third period represented the many Whalers shots that either bounced off the post or sailed just wide of the net. Once in overtime, the Demonz were able to recapture their offensive energy they had early on in the contest, as Dayton forward Jesse Felten scored his 18th goal of the season with 2:20 left in the extra period. Jason Hill scored twice for the Demonz in the third period and Ahmed Mahfouz scored for Dayton at the 14:42 mark in the second period to round out Dayton's scoring output.

Niedert stood tall and shut the Demonz out until their 24th shot rocketed over his right shoulder on Mahfouz's breakaway goal.

The Whalers will play their third contest in as many days on Sunday evening as they host the Danville Dashers, with a second straight home game against the Dashers scheduled for Monday evening as well. Both start times are 5 p.m.